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4.2 How Minerals form

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Vocabulary

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solution- when a mixture of one substance dissolves in another substance
vein- is a narrow channel or slab of a mineral that is different than the surrounding rock

Outline

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Processes that Form Minerals

• minerals can form in two ways
  • through crystallization of melted materials
  • through crystallization of materials dissolved in water

Minerals from Magma

• when magma remains deep below the surface, it cools slowly
  • magma closer to the surface cools faster

Minerals from Hot Water Solutions

• when hot water solutions cool,it begins to crystallize, forming minerals

Minerals formed by Evaporation

• minerals can also form when solutions evaporate

Where Minerals are Found

• common minerals are distributed evenly along Earth's crust
  • rare minerals are not distributed evenly along Earth's crust
• rare minerals are found in or near areas of volcanic activity or mountain building